What Was the Star of Bethlehem, Really?

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

These lines from the Gospel according to Matthew in the New Testament of the Bible tell of a story familiar to anyone who grew up in a Christian country. The three kings who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the birth of Jesus followed a star which guided them to Bethlehem.

There is much in the Gospels which is now known to be fact. Putting aside the religious aspects, archaeologists and researchers know for instance of King Herod the Great who ruled Judea during that time, through corroborating documentation and records of his reign.

Other aspects of the story of Jesus, such as his miracles, resurrection and ascension to heaven, are wholly lacking in corroborating evidence and must be taken on faith. And some aspects, one of which is the star, fall somewhere in between.

Is there evidence of an unusually bright or distinctive star in the sky around that time? Let’s take a closer look at what might have been going on in the heavens on that magical night when Jesus arrived on earth …

Painting by Edward Burne-Jones (1890), entitled ‘The Star of Bethlehem.’ (Birmingham Museums Trust).